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The scent is hard to describe. The low wind carrying in over the tides holds hints of salt, of wild and unexplored terrains, but also of more grounded lands, earthy and sharp. As he ponders it, Norton finds that there really is no single word for the smell of the ocean.
He gazes out across the stretch of aquamarine and cobalt, rippling over and over like a curtain pulled flat over the gust of a storm. The parasol propped up in the sand beside his folded-out canvas chair helps to block out the sun from his face while still allowing warmth through, and it's enough to make him feel nearly drowsy. Norton isn't used to having time off like this, simply relaxing to feel the gentle breeze ruffle his hair and dance across his skin.
He glances back out towards the side of the water with a touch of fondness. The figure treading the water there glances back at him, offering a slightly inquisitive grin as he starts to make his way over. "You look peaceful," he calls out.
"Yeah, I guess." Norton gives a half-smile of his own, eyes lidded as he sighs. "Feels nice up here. Don't you wanna get out of the water for a little?"
"Maybe." Luca watches him with a glint in his own eye. "After you come in here for a couple minutes first."
Norton sits up a little straighter at that, nibbling at the inside of his cheek. This isn't the first time this morning that Luca has attempted to cajole him into the water, but he seems more persistent this time, going on with a tilt of his head: "Please? Even for just a little?"
Well... Norton really can't say no to that face- or voice, for that matter. He feels his resolve crack and shatter. Damn minx.
He stands up from his chair with a great deal of reluctance, wincing as his back cracks a little, and wanders closer to the edge of the beach before hesitating. There's a reason he hasn't gone in the water yet.
"Come on." Norton thinks that Luca, oblivious to his plight, might be pouting at him, though it's a bit difficult to tell with his hair dripping forwards into his forehead and obscuring half of his face. "It's not that cold, if that's what you're worried about."
"It's not that," Norton defends himself, crossing his arms. "It's just..."
He pauses and leans in closer before he can change his mind. "I don't know... how to swim."
To his credit, Luca doesn't laugh at him, though he does manage to look amused, concerned, and lofty all at once. "How do I know how to swim, but not you?"
Norton rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, lowering himself to the ground and sitting directly in the sand. "Uh... never really had a chance, I guess." He pokes at the tannish particles with a finger.
Luca's eyes soften at the implication. He props up his chin with one hand, tapping his fingers up and down his jaw in thought. "I'll make sure you don't drown."
That... is not very reassuring, though Norton appreciates the gesture. The dubiety must be clear on his face; Luca huffs, brushing back some of his hair to clear up his face. "I'll keep you safe, my princess," he promises, though the twitch of his lip betrays him.
Norton rolls his eyes so hard that he nearly gets vertigo. "Sure," he agrees dryly, though it does get him to tentatively slide forwards into the water, scooting forwards until it washes up against his thighs. Luca lets him take his time; that is, until he's mostly off of the beach.
He certainly does not scream as Luca suddenly drags him forwards into the water, absolutely not, despite the way that Luca barks a laugh as he stumbles over himself through the shallower parts of the water. It's icy against his skin, especially since he's been in the sun all day, and he hisses, feeling his shirt already starting to stick obstinately to his body.
Luca seems entirely unfazed, tugging Norton out through the building waves. For a moment, Norton fears that they'll be going out all the way into the main current, but thankfully Luca stops before they can wade out too far. Whether out of personal preference or unspoken concern for Norton, he doesn't know, but he exhales in relief either way.
Luca turns to squint at him. "Your hair is too dry," is the only warning he gives before splashing water onto Norton violently. Norton splutters, blindly reaching out to shove him away, but it's too late; his dark hair is already drenched, plastered down to his forehead and dripping down the back of his neck. He feels a bit like a wet cat, but still manages to level Luca with the most unimpressed look that he can muster as he blinks rapidly.
Luca tilts his head to the side as he moves his arms gently through the water, fang poking out as the corner of his lip pulls up into a smirk. Before he can say anything, though, Norton seizes him by the arm, spinning them around to smack more water up the base of Luca's neck. Luca retaliates by scooping up a handful and tossing it right into Norton's face. They wind up having an absolutely childish splashing contest; Norton knows they look ridiculous, but for once, he doesn't even care, not when the raspy sound of Luca's laugh fills his ears like wind blowing through heather.
Finally, Luca gasps out, "Stop, enough," through his snorts, stretching his arms out behind him. Norton pushes one more mini current towards him before acquiescing, lazily drifting over to him. Somewhere over the course of their battle, they've moved out into the ocean more, but Norton finds that he's not particularly worried about it; he feels like he's floating well on his own without needing any further effort. He props his head on Luca's shoulder, staring out behind him back towards the wide stretch of beach. The palm trees are bending slightly under a breeze, and a mother is leading her two children down to the other side, holding her hat on her head as it threatens to fly away. Norton closes his eyes and holds Luca by the waist.
Luca makes a small sound, as if of vague surprise, but reciprocates the gesture, holding Norton behind the back with one hand and playing with the bedraggled ends of his hair with the other. Norton grumbles slightly but allows him to do as he pleases. The water feels nice, cool against his scars and lapping against his skin gently. He feels almost as if he could fall asleep here.
As if reading his thoughts, Luca pats him on the back a bit roughly. "Don't you drift off on me, Mr. Campbell."
"Mhhmm," Norton answers eloquently.
"Norton," Luca warns. "If you're going to fall asleep, go back to the shore."
"Uh-huh." Norton breathes out gently across Luca's shoulder and cracks his eyes open slightly, satisfied with the trail of goosebumps that appears across the skin.
Luca makes a sound. "What, do you want me to pick you up and carry you?"
Norton's eyes open fully. "You couldn't."
"No, I couldn't," Luca agrees readily. "So that's why I'm going to drag you." He disconnects himself from Norton, ignoring the groan of complaint that garners him, takes hold of his hand, and starts lugging him through the water, back towards the shore. Norton gets a mouthful of salty water and immediately decides to take control of the situation, easing his slippery hand out of Luca's and stumbling forward by himself. Luca's chuckle turns into a yelp as Norton leans down to sling a hand under his knees, scooping him up into his arms and holding him to his chest in a bridal carry.
"Norton!" he snaps again, banging against his chest with an unenthusiastic palm. Norton just snickers and grips him tighter, bearing him up to the shallower part of the water right next to the sand before finally letting him go. Luca splashes down into the water with an undignified flail of his arms, though Norton is kind enough to make sure he's stable and not in danger of falling before letting him go completely.
Luca glares at him, though the effect is mitigated somewhat by the indignant tint of red over his high cheekbones. Norton simply shrugs. "You love me."
"Unfortunately," Luca agrees, trudging forwards onto the sand. Norton swipes across his own face with a forearm as he sits back down in the chair, flapping his shirt slightly in an attempt to dry it off faster.
Luca pauses, regarding him for a moment. Norton blinks at him owlishly, wondering if he actually went too far. His worries are expelled, however, when the inventor leans over to kiss him. It's only a quick peck, hidden by the shade of Norton's umbrella; then Luca draws away and the confident tilt of his brow returns at Norton's expression. "I do love you, far too much for my own good."
He turns away to wade back into the water immediately, leaving Norton to meditate with a hand over the lower half of his own reddening face.